Suspects sentenced in 2015 marijuana distribution organization

Five suspects charged with their involvement a 2015 marijuana distribution organization were sentenced in Wilson County criminal court this week.

In February 2015, Wilson County sheriff’s narcotics detectives began an investigation of a large marijuana distribution organization in Wilson County.

In July 2015, a Wilson County grand jury indicted four people connected with the organization. Jeffery Waylon Craddock and Garry Neil Vonstorch were each charged with one count of possession of marijuana, two counts of conspiracy to possess marijuana, one count of money laundering and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony.

Jason Lee Copeland and Michael Mondrell Grooms were each charged with one count of possession of marijuana, two counts of conspiracy to possess marijuana and one count of money laundering.

In December 2015, detectives continued the investigation for further suspects. A grand jury indicted three more suspects in connection with the marijuana distribution organization.

One of the suspects, David Allen Hankins, was charged with one count of possession of marijuana, one count of conspiracy to deliver marijuana and one count of money laundering.

Craddock, Vonstorch, Hankins and Grooms all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to resale 70 pounds or more. Copeland pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana with intent to resale more than 10 pounds.

Craddock and Vonstorch each received an eight-year sentence, Hankins received a 12-year sentence, Grooms received a seven-year sentence and Copeland received four-year sentence.

“This lengthy investigation proved to be worthy by disrupting a large marijuana distribution organization by not only getting drugs off the street, but also the prosecution of the individuals that were involved,” said Sheriff Robert Bryan.

The remaining two suspects in the marijuana distribution organization are due back in court later this year.